Jul 18 (DN) Sri Lanka’s captain, Charith Asalanka, addressing the media following their recent defeat, emphasised the importance of learning from this experience. “We need to take this loss positively as it highlights the areas where we must improve before the T20 World Cup. This serves as an eye-opener, and our aim is to return with better preparation,” Asalanka stated. He acknowledged Bangladesh’s performance, more..

Jul 18 (CT) The grand historical and cultural procession in Kandy, the Kandy Esala Perahera, which is a vibrant display of Buddhist and Kandyan traditions dating back several centuries, would feature only eight elephants in the years to come if action is not taken now to address the current shortage of tamed elephants, said Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela. He stated that out of the 91 tamed elephants currently alive, only eight are under 35 years of age, and more..

Jul 18 (EN) Fitch Ratings has said it was revising its US Effective Tariff Rate (ETR) Monitor to 19.4% from 14.1% due to the higher reciprocal tariffs and duties coming into force on August 1. “The threatened tariff increases represent a significant increase from existing tariffs,” the ratings agency said. “The ETR reflects our assumption that about half of previous tariff-free imports will ultimately be reclassified as USMCA compliant.” ETR represents total duties as a percent of total imports more..

Jul 18 (PMD) A meeting was held at the Presidential Secretariat between the Secretary to the Prez Dr. Nandika Kumanayake and officials from institutions related to the tea industry. The discussion reviewed the issues that have emerged within Sri Lanka’s tea industry. Special attention was paid to improving the quality of tea leaves and the productivity of tea cultivation and exploring new international market opportunities. The challenges faced by tea manufacturers were also discussed and more..

Jul 18 (TM) Sri Lanka has overtaken England to claim the second spot in the ICC World Test Championship points table after the Ben Stokes-led side was docked two WTC points due to their slow over rate in their recently-completed match against India at Lord’s. This came under Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, by which a side is penalised one point for each over short, and after time allowances were taken into consideration. more..

Jul 18 (CT) The Ministry of Health has asked all hospital authorities to proceed with local purchase in accordance with The Manual on Local Purchase of Medical Supplies – 2023. Following the dilemma of medical professionals during the past few weeks when giving outside prescriptions, Ministry of Health has made the decision to continue following The Manual on Local Purchase of Medical Supplies – 2023. more..

Jul 18 (AM) The European Union (EU) has issued a public warning to Sri Lankans about a scam involving an individual impersonating an EU official and fraudulently offering grants and financial aid. In a statement shared on its official Facebook and Twitter accounts on Friday, the EU said the impersonator had approached young entrepreneurs in SL, falsely claiming to offer EU grants or funding opportunities. This is a scam, the EU clarified, noting that the individual had more..

Jul 18 (NW) The Airport & Aviation Services Sri Lanka Pvt Ltd (AASL) has issued a warning against flying kites in close proximity to international airports in the country. Issuing a special notice, the AASL warned that flying kites or any airborne objects over a height of 300 feet, within a radius of 5 km from any international airport, is strictly prohibited. The AASL further said that flying kites in such close proximity to international airports is considered a punishable offence. more..

Jul 18 (NW) Dept of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) has defended its handling of the injured SL tusker Bhathiya, following widespread public criticism over the animal’s care. Officials said every possible measure was taken to treat the elephant, which died on June 15 after nearly a month of veterinary efforts. DWC Director General Ranjan Marasinghe denied allegations that treatment was delayed. According to Tharaka Prasad, more..

Jul 18 (AD) An anticipatory bail application filed by former Minister Rajitha Senaratne, seeking his release on anticipatory bail before he is arrested by the Bribery Commission, was on Friday rejected by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayatunga issued this order after considering the submissions made by the petitioner’s lawyers and officials of the Bribery Commission. Senaratne’s attorneys on July 14 filed an anticipatory bail application before more..

Jul 18 (DM) A young man who had abducted an underage schoolgirl and had kept her at a house in the Haputale area was arrested by the Lindula Police last night. The victim was a Grade 10 student of a Tamil school in Talawakelle and a resident of Lorgie Estate. The 15 year-old schoolgirl had fallen in love with the suspect whom she had acquainted through Facebook and on his request had met him at the Nanu Oya railway station. Investigations revealed that she had sneaked out of home more..

Jul 18 (EN) Lanka Ashok Leyland, a joint venture with Ashok Leyland of India, said it is planning to launch a range of electric buses. An electric variant of its DOST truck model has already been made available. “Plans are also underway to launch an entire range of electric buses under the SWITCH brand, subject to regulatory and market readiness,” CEO Umesh Gautam said. “Govt’s growing focus on public sector electrification is expected to create favourable conditions for this initiative.” more..

Jul 18 (NW) SL batter Kusal Mendis has been approached to play for Nottinghamshire in England’s County Championship for a short stint, sources said. According to sources, Mendis is being considered as a replacement for Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, who recently concluded his spell with the county side. The proposed move is reportedly subject to clearance from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), as is customary for national players participating in overseas leagues. more..

Jul 18 (MB) When the govt of SL published the National Red List of threatened plants in 2020, my eyebrows shot up. We’ve all become accustomed, after all, to the grim news these reports periodically bring us. But here it was, in black and white: 128 species, not having been recorded in surveys conducted during the past century, were assessed as possibly extinct, while a further two each were assessed as extinct and extinct more..

Jul 18 (AD) Former Minister S.M. Chandrasena has been further remanded until August 1 after being produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. He was arrested by the Bribery Commission on July 04 on suspicion of committing the offence of corruption. In 2014, maize seeds worth Rs. 25 million—procured for distribution to poor farmers in the Anuradhapura District at subsidized prices—were allegedly distributed instead to his friends and political supporters. more..

Jul 18 (NW) Former Minister Harin Fernando appeared before the CIABOC on Thursday in connection with an ongoing probe into an alleged land deal. According to Bribery Commission, Fernando spent nearly three hours providing evidence related to the investigation. Speaking to reporters after the session, Fernando said, “They asked me about my knowledge over a land deal that initiated before my tenure as Land Minister. I told them what I know about it.” more..

Jul 18 (AD) In a decisive move to strengthen macroprudential policy and mitigate systemic financial risks, Central Bank of SL (CBSL), acting as the Macroprudential Authority, has issued new Directions to licensed financial institutions to impose maximum caps on loan-to-value (LTV) ratios for vehicle-related credit facilities. The directive, which takes effect from 18 July 2025, applies to all Licensed Commercial Banks, more..

Jul 18 (DM) The Court of Appeal has set aside the conviction and death sentence imposed by the Hambantota High Court on an 80-year-old woman for a murder committed in 1993. Attorney General had filed indictments against Sirima Edirisuriya, accusing her of causing the death of Meegahalandadurage Jayasena on or about Jan 18, 1993, at Modarapiliwela in Ambalanthota—an offence punishable under Section 296 of the Penal Code. A 2-judge bench of Court of Appeal, more..

Jul 18 (AM) On 17 July, the Pottuvil Divisional Development Committee (DDC) decided to shut down Arugam Bay Chabad House, citing the absence of any legal approval for its functioning. The centre, a Jewish community space, had reportedly been operating without proper authorisation. In separate development, Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations has questioned the policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, more..

Jul 18 (FT) I write this with deep sadness and outrage. As of 15 June, 236 elephants have been killed this year alone, that’s more than one elephant every single day. And many of these deaths are not natural. They are brutal, painful, and preventable. This is not just a tragedy. This is a crime against our nation. We are losing one of our greatest treasures, our elephants, due to short-sighted decisions, political greed, and sheer negligence. Majority are Buddhist in this country. more..

Jul 18 (FT) Chemmani, a sparsely populated area in the northern peninsula of Jaffna has in recent times acquired a somewhat dubious image. Just as Nallur in Jaffna is associated positively in public perception with the famous Kandasamy temple, Chemmani is associated negatively with mass graves. The long war between the Sri Lankan armed forces and the LTTE has resulted in innumerable instances of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. The mass graves uncovered in Chemmani more..

Jul 18 (AD) Supreme Court today invalidated the interim injunction previously issued by the Court of Appeal preventing the enforcement of the former govt’s decision to compulsorily retire nurses in four grades at the age of 60. Meanwhile, SC also issued another order to the Court of Appeal to re-examine the petition filed before the court regarding this matter. SC issued this order when an appeal filed by the Attorney General, more..

Jul 18 (CT) A protest calling for justice and accountability for mass graves across SL—including the recently spotlighted Chemmani site—was held yesterday in front of the Fort Railway Station in Colombo, yesterday. The demonstration drew civil society activists and members of various political groups. Protesters highlighted that numerous mass graves have been uncovered across the country since the 1990s, both in the North and the South. They accused successive govts of failing to more..

Jul 18 (DN) In a significant step towards inclusive rural development, the Govt has launched a Rs. 48 million development initiative in Muruththanai village, located in the Koralaipattu South Divisional Secretariat of the Batticaloa District, as part of the nationwide Praja Shakthi Grama Sanwardhana (Village Empowerment) programme. The project was officially launched on July 15, under the leadership of Rural Development and Community Empowerment Minister Upali Pannilage. more..

Jul 18 (AD) Supreme Court ordered that a fundamental rights petition filed requesting an order be issued to recover the compensation money that had been paid to former Ministers and MPs by the govt after their houses and properties were damaged by fire, be taken up for clarification of facts on Nov 13. Property damage occurred as a result of the violent incidents that spread across the country following the attack on the Gota Go Gama more..

Jul 18 (TM) National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) organisation has urged the Govt to reconsider the proposed law to ban the sale of unpackaged or loose coconut oil. A Cabinet paper had been submitted recently to halt the sale of unpackaged coconut oil in the market. In a statement, which was shared with The Daily Morning, NMSJ General Secretary, Sunil Jayasekara said that food-related laws and policies must align with social and cultural realities of SL life. more..

Jul 18 (DN) 49th National Sports Festival (NSF) began yesterday, the 17th, and will run until the 20th in Galle and Matara. Sports Ministry and the Sports Development Dept aim to provide more opportunities for local athletes to compete at higher levels. This year’s festival features 33 sporting events held at six venues across Galle, Matara, and Colombo. Athletes from nine provinces—Western, Central, Uva, North, Eastern, Southern, North Western, North Central, and Sabaragamuwa—are participating. more..

Jul 18 (DM) Minister Bimal Ratnayake witnessed a minor explosion during an inspection tour of the Ratmalana railway yard, drawing attention to serious safety concerns faced by workers. The incident occurred while maintenance work was underway in a train compartment, resulting in a small fire. Workers on site acted swiftly to extinguish the flames before they could spread further. Following the incident, Minister spoke directly with the workers and raised immediate concerns about their safety. more..

Jul 18 (FT) In its 13th consecutive year of championing exceptional workplace culture, Great Place To Work SL has officially unveiled its eagerly awaited list of the 40 Best Workplaces™ in SL for 2025. The announcement follows a rigorous, year-long study conducted from April 2024 to March 2025, surveying over 78,000 employees across 170 organisations through 130 assessments, representing 20+ industries. With an impressive average response rate of 89%, the study more..

Jul 18 (EN) The US is breaching the Official Creditor Committee agreements by making it difficult to repay creditors by imposing sudden tariffs on the country, ex-Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe has argued. “US is a member of the OCC,” he told a forum organized by Advocata Institute to introduce Policy Challenges of Globalisation in SL, a book written by Sarath Rajapatirana, former World Bank official who been a Presidential advisor. more..

Jul 18 (FT) The Export Agriculture Division of the SL Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with its Central Province Regional Office, successfully conducted an awareness workshop on the topic Development of Ayurvedic and Herbal Cosmetic Products for Export Markets at The Royal Mall Hotel – Kandy. This targeted initiative was aimed at empowering small and medium-scale Sri Lankan manufacturers and exporters in the ayurvedic, herbal, and cosmetic sectors. more..

Jul 18 (EN) Ventive Hospitality Ltd, an India based company which owns and manages hotels and retail properties in South Asia, is exploring resort development in SL, Director Thilan Wijesinghe was quoted as saying in a statement. Ventive Hospitality is backed by US-based Blackstone group and Panchshil group, also based in India. Wijesinghe’s TW Holdings had recently advised on a Blackstone acquisition of in Indian property group which promoted SL’s Altair Holdings. more..